She said she was inspired to do so after seeing a similar post in 2015 telling people to be aware of what breast cancer looks like, rather than how it can feel (a lump).

She wrote: "I saw an indentation that looked like one of those pictures, I instantly knew I had breast cancer.

"I tried to feel for a tumour, but my tumour was non-palpable.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer five days later, and with stage four (advanced breast cancer) the following month."

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Erin Smith Chieze from San Diego posted the image, in frustration at a "game" asking people to post a heart to raise awareness of the diseaseCredit: Facebook

She said posting a heart will do nothing to raise awareness.

"I knew what breast cancer was, I knew all about self exams, but a picture of what to look for keyed me into knowing I had a terminal disease," she said.

"We need to give real information, not cute hearts.

"Without having seen a picture randomly with real information, I wouldn't have known what to look for."

She urged Facebook users to "stop playing games" and to share photos of the real signs and symptoms women need to watch out for, to educate people and help them realise it is more than just a lump.

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Another image, produced by knowyourlemons.com, shows women what to feel for during a breast examCredit: knowyourlemons / Facebook

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And another image tells women the journey they can expect from finding a symptom to getting diagnosed by a doctorCredit: knowyourlemons / Facebook

Mr Kislaya Thakur, an expert at BMI The Blackheath Hospital in south London, told The Sun Online: "The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump usually found by patients themselves.

"However other symptoms can indicate breast cancer.

"These include blood stained nipple discharge, nipple inversion or flattening, dimpling or tethering - including an orange-peel appearance - of the skin over the breast, lumps in the armpit or neck, or any redness which may suggest inflammation or persistent pain."

While awareness is vital, Mr Thakur said it is important women put this knowledge into practice.

I knew what breast cancer was, I knew all about self exams, but a picture of what to look for keyed me into knowing I had a terminal disease

Erin Smith Chiezebreast cancer patient

Breast cancer, while more common in women over the age of 50, does affect younger girls too.

Twenty per cent of cases occur in those women under the age of 50 - and it is never too young to learn more about what to look out for.

Mr Thakur said: "Women should start becoming breast aware from the age of around 25.

"About once a month especially a few days after periods are over, when the breasts are less lumpy and, or tender is the best time to check.

"I’d encourage women to make a habit of this. It enables women to pick up changes in their breasts early and seek specialist advice if needed.”

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